What is Bibek?

In Sikhi, there is an important concept known as bibekta. Bibek literally means from two to one. Bibek is a god given conscience that allows a Sikh to discriminate between right and wrong--knowing what is good and what is bad.

Not only is Bibekta applied in a Sikh's everyday life—for example, knowing it is wrong to cut one's hair or that it is right to do nitnem in the morning—it can also be applied to what one eats. Bujjar kuraits and other rehat maryada rules come into play here.

Sikhs must abstain from alcohol and tobacco, that is a given. Arguments ignored, most Sikhs also agree that it is against Sikhi to consume fish, meat or eggs and derivative products. All of Guru Hargobind Sahib's hukamnamas state, "Maas Machee De Nere Nehi Avanaa" next to his signature.

So the most basic Bibek rehat a Sikh can keep is to abstain from Meat, Fish, Eggs, Alcohol, Tobacco, and non-medicinal drugs.

There are also other rehats, depending on how strict an individual wishes to be and how much of Guru Sahib's maryada they are able to follow. These rehats include:

• Eating cooked food from Amritdharis' hands exclusively
• Not eating any processed or machine made foods
• Eating only in Sarabloh (Iron/Carbon Steel)
• Only eating from those who follow the above

Whatever level of orthodoxy an individual feels is right for them, we are here to help. We at EatBibek.com investigate which foods have hidden meat and egg ingredients, which foods are made by hand or by machine, and which restaurants can contaminate food.

Please feel free to e-mail us with any questions or comments. We also look forward to finding out what foods you like to eat and have looked into.